A tie

Abstract: A tie, particularly for tying a plant 30 to a post 31, comprises elongate straps 82,83 for looping around the plant and post respectively. Each loop can be tightened to a tension independent of the tension to which the other loop is tightened, so that strangulation of the plant can be avoided. Preferably the straps extend from a body portion 80 which can be positioned between the plant and post to prevent the plant rubbing against the post.

Description: This invention relates to a tie, and more particularly but not solely to a tie for tying a tree to a post. It is known to support young trees and other plants by tying them to posts so as to keep them upright and prevent them from breaking during adverse weather conditions. The plants may be tied to the posts using twine or plant ties. One such plant tie comprises an elongate plastics strap having a buckle at one end. In use, the strap is looped around the tree and post and its ends fastened together. If the strap is tied too tight, the plant will be strangled and prevented from growing. However, if the strap is tied too loosely, the plant can move and may become damaged by rubbing against the post. DE-U-1-852-268 discloses a tie which alleviates some of the above-mentioned problems comprising an elongate strap formable into first and second side-by-side loops, and fastening means arranged for locking the loops, the arrangement enabling the second loop to be tightened to a tension independent of the tension to which the first loop is tightened. In use as a plant tie, the first loop is formed around a supporting post to be supported and the second loop is formed around a plant to be supported. The loop formed around the plant can be tightened to a higher tension than the loop formed around the post. Thus the plant can be held securely to the post without being strangled. In accordance with this invention, there is provided a tie of the above-mentioned type which is characterised in that said fastening means is arranged for locking the loops independently of each other, the arrangement further enabling the first loop to be tightened to a tension independent of the tension to which the second loop is tightened. Preferably the tie comprises a body portion from which the strap or straps extend, and arranged for positioning between the plant and post (or other two members about which, in use, the two loops are formed). The body portion therefore serves to space the plant and post apart to prevent the plant from rubbing against the post. Preferably at least the strap to be looped around the plant is formed with a series of perforations along its length, to enhance it ability to stretch: the plant is therefore able to grow without being strangled by the loop of the strap which is tied around it. The tie may comprise first and second straps which both extend from a first end of the body portion and which are each formed with a series of perforations along their lengths, and the body portion being formed with a pair of through-passages, between its opposite ends, arranged so that each strap can be formed into a loop and then passed through a respective passage, from the opposite end to the first end: the fastening means comprises projections on the body portion, arranged to engage with selective perforations of the two straps. Preferably the two straps are identical to each other. Preferably the fastening means comprises two projections in the form of hook-shaped catches on the first end of the body portion, for engaging the respective straps. Preferably the tie comprises a one-piece moulding of an elastomeric plastics material. An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of tie in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the tie of Figure 1 when in use. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a one-piece tie which is moulded from an elastomeric plastics material. The tie comprises a box-shaped body portion 80 having two flat straps 82,83 extending from its opposite sides at one end thereof. The body 80 is formed with two rectangular-section through-passages 84,85 extending parallel to each other between the opposite ends of the body. Each strap 82,83 comprises a series of diamond-shape frame-like elements joined corner-to-corner along its length, to allow elastic extension or stretching of the strap, and an elongate, pointed element at its end. The body 80 is formed on its end from which the straps 82,83 extend with two hook-shaped catches 86,87. This end of the body 80 is also formed, beyond the ends of the exit openings of the through-passages 84,85, with projecting ribs 88,89, but these ribs may be omitted. In use, the body 80 is positioned between the tree 30 and post 31 as shown in Figure 2, and the straps 82,83 are looped around the tree and post and passed through the respective passages 84,85 of the head 80: the two passages 84,85 may be replaced by a single passage able to accept the two straps. Each strap is tightened to appropriate tension, then folded back over its respective hook 86,87 to lock in position. It will be appreciated that strap 83 can be tightened to a relatively high tension for firm attachment to the post 31, whilst the strap 82 can be tightened to a lower tension appropriate for the tree 30. It will be noted that in the example shown, the two straps 82,83 are identical, so that either can be looped around the tree and will allow the tree to grow (each strap being able to stretch relatively easily): however, the straps 82,83 need not be identical.

Claims: A tie comprising one or more elongate straps (82, 83) formable into first and second side-by-side loops, and fastening means arranged for locking the loops, the arrangement enabling said second loop to be tightened to a tension independent of the tension to which the first loop is tightened, characterised in that said fastening means (86,87) is arranged for locking the loops independently of each other, the arrangement further enabling the first loop to be tightened to a tension independent of the tension to which the second loop is tightened. A tie as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the strap or straps (82, 83) extend from a body portion (80), the body portion (80) being arranged for positioning between two members (30,31) about which, in use, the two loops are formed. A tie as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that first and second said straps (82, 83) are provided which both extend from a first end of said body portion (80) and which are both formed with a series of perforations along their lengths, said body portion (80) being formed with a through-passage, or a pair of through-passages (84, 85), between its said first end and its opposite end, and being arranged so that each strap (82, 83) can be formed into said first or second loops respectively and then passed through said passage, or a respective said passage (84, 85), from said opposite end to said first end, said fastening means comprising a pair of projections (86, 87) on said body portion (80), arranged to engage with selective perforations of said first and second strap (82, 83) respectively. A tie as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that each said fastening means comprises a projection (86,87) in the form of a hook-shaped catch on said first end of the body portion (80). A tie as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the tie is a one-piece moulding of elastomeric plastics material.

Inventors: HEATON THOMAS, HEATON, THOMAS
Applicants: BOWTHORPE PLC
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A01G17
IPC codes: A01G9